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SMG vs. 6sp Manual

10K views 60 replies 30 participants last post by  LJS 
#1 ·
Thinking about buying a 2006-2008 E60. I test drove an SMG and it was awful....rough shifting, time lag when upshifting and downshifting. Dealer said he didn't know how to dial it in, but that it normally is really good. Now I notice that 90% of the used M5's out there have SMG. Is this because no one likes it, or is it because everyone likes SMG so much that it is all that is purchased new? Advice?
 
#4 · (Edited)
Honestly, when I first drove an SMG in '06, I didn't like it. I thought to myself, I love every part of this car, except the tranny. So I held off buying one until a month ago.

I thought to myself, I have to give this car a shot, but with the 6sp. Drove the 6sp and SMG back to back and went home with the SMG. While the 6sp is nice, the throws are still typical BMW long and I knew I always put quicker times down with the SMG hands down.

After a month with the SMG car, I'm really impressed. Of course there are situations where the SMG doesn't correctly guess your next move, but I was really thinking I might regret my SMG purchase. But I love it so far.

The thing that really smoothens it out is resetting the SMG unit. I didn't do it for the first 300 miles, but decided to do it when I got the springs installed and it's a whole world of difference. The car is much smoother on both upshifts and downshifts.

Maybe my view will change with more miles, but honestly I don't miss or regret taking home the 6spd.

I say go back...get it up to about 60mph, put the car in neutral, pull both paddles, put it back in gear and give it another shot. :)
 
#28 ·
Gadgetman you got. I lift what I call "Blip Shift" and it makes a world of difference. i drove M6 6 spd at M school they are great but long throws and in P500 when downshifting heel towing to match revs takes tremendous concentration to do it consistentl. SMG matching rev's at 110mph looking at a downshift from 6th to 5th to smoke a Z06 there is nothing like it:thumbsup:
 
#6 ·
The SMG shifts "slow" when done at lower RPMs, and can be violently fast in S6 at hight RPMs... When at low RPMs just modulate the throttle for smoothest results.
 
#7 ·
...

Thinking about buying a 2006-2008 E60. I test drove an SMG and it was awful....rough shifting, time lag when upshifting and downshifting. Dealer said he didn't know how to dial it in, but that it normally is really good. Now I notice that 90% of the used M5's out there have SMG. Is this because no one likes it, or is it because everyone likes SMG so much that it is all that is purchased new? Advice?

that's an easy one...not only does the SMG have an EXTRA YRS worth of production, but there's also wealthy buyers whom don't want t be bothered w/ manual transmissions [or at best prefer the option btw manual and automatic] and there's all the M5 lovers who want to try have the NEW transmission...plus you're paying for the SMG whether you get it or not [I doubt the MANUAL costs as much as the SMG ->$8,900 hell the 550i's trans is only $3500]

...I vote for manual...PADDLES are for SPANKING-in-crazy-German-Sex-Dungeons...not driving
 
#16 · (Edited)
that's an easy one...not only does the SMG have an EXTRA YRS worth of production, but there's also wealthy buyers whom don't want t be bothered w/ manual transmissions [or at best prefer the option btw manual and automatic] and there's all the M5 lovers who want to try have the NEW transmission...plus you're paying for the SMG whether you get it or not [I doubt the MANUAL costs as much as the SMG ->$8,900 hell the 550i's trans is only $3500]

...I vote for manual...PADDLES are for SPANKING-in-crazy-German-Sex-Dungeons...not driving
SMG is standard, 6 speed is an option @ N/C. I've owned and driven both..............SMG wins hands down. (I Promised myself I wouldn't do that!, Yea well!) There, I've said it! Six speed is going the path of the dinosaurs. Flame on!

You asked, Scott!
 
#8 ·
I have driven both, The car was at birth desighned around SMG, it is completely different car when driven with the SMG, if you havent driven it in S6 Mode, then you wont understand what i;m talking about ANIMAL!!!! 6 speed is completley and utterly useless......its a BMW NA thing .....
 
#14 ·
6 speed is completley and utterly
useless......its a BMW NA thing .....
Thats ridiculous!! There is nothing wrong with the 6 speed. Yes SMG is faster but speed is not everything!! I love my 6 speed and would surley miss the fun of having that third peddle. You probably cant go wrong either way especially since it seems like all of the kinks of SMG are worked out. Good luck with your choice.
 
#9 · (Edited)
cant go wrong with either. i have a 6spd. i love it. my best friend has SMG, he loves it. I drive his here and there, and i love it. he drives mine, and he loves it. it is a very LOVABLE CAR.

SMG is jerky yes, but damn, it's a 400-507hP car that kills almost anything on the road! its chooses to be jerky. KING OF THE ROAD. Stomping his feet anywhere he pleases, with authority!!

but yea, its totally up to you what you want. personal preference.
 
#10 ·
i have the 6 speed and love it. very smooth.
some of the guys who have the SMG seem to
only like it in the beginning but, then swear by it as
they become more familiar with it over time.
 
#11 ·
Lets not forget that the V10 was designed for SMG. And when you want to drop a few gears to get it upto speed, SMG is the quicker way with a few ticks on the paddle shifter.
 
#12 ·
It defaults to S3 in the US. If you didn't put it into at least S5, the shifts would lag. Additionally, it shifts faster at higher rpm. So, for my taste, anything slower than an S5 shift at lower rpms shifts intolerably slow. Drive it again in S5 or S6, push the throttle to the floor, wind it up to 8000 rpm, and hold on when the shift is banged home.;)
 
#21 ·
SMG... I always read about peoples shifting complaints on the SMG but I just don't see it at all.

I've got an 08', and I drive pretty much in P500S / S5 always, and as long as you drive it like you would drive a regular manual, it reacts as you would expect. I wouldn't go back to a manual ever again now that I've owned an SMG.

-F
 
#27 ·
...or wait for your wife to be driving it on the freeway with the kids in the back when the red cog of death shows up, and she has to get the damn thing safely onto the shoulder and risk sitting there waiting for Roadside Assistance to pick it up. Some people's minds get changed pretty quick. ;)
 
#29 ·
Thinking about buying a 2006-2008 E60. I test drove an SMG and it was awful....rough shifting, time lag when upshifting and downshifting. Dealer said he didn't know how to dial it in, but that it normally is really good. Now I notice that 90% of the used M5's out there have SMG. Is this because no one likes it, or is it because everyone likes SMG so much that it is all that is purchased new? Advice?

If you are a proficent 6 spd driver you should fall in love with the SMG. Rev matching at high speed is unmatched. Slightly lift before shifting helps a whole lot. Sometimes you try to outthink the SMG but it is usally correct.
 
#30 ·
This is like deja vu all over again.

-- Yogi Berra
 
#32 ·
Question... did you let the car get nice and warmed up before the test drive? You need at least a minute before moving, and then temp up before anything with rpms. Also, did you use S Mode or D Mode? From the description, sounds like D - but that can make the difference so be sure you also tried S.

S5 or S6 that is.
 
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